Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Old As Dirt

Old As Dirt mug: QuiltBee
A few years ago Jane made a birthday cake for her friend Ed that included a toy dinosaur and the words 'old as dirt' tucked in between the candles. It cracked everyone up and still makes me chuckle. Well, last weekend dear Jane celebrated her retirement and a wonderful milestone birthday, so my lovely and talented niece Julia created a great set of custom 'old as dirt' mugs for her, adding in '...and loving it!'










Old As Dirt mug: QuiltBee
(I got two so that Jane can share a cuppa with Ed 😉). She had a good laugh when she opened them.















Pumpkin Patch at Midnight spiderweb quilt: QuiltBeeThere's also been lots of 'secret squirrel' sewing hiding in the blog shadows in anticipation of the big day and I can now let the cat out of the bag. I had The Pumpkin Patch at Midnight machine quilted and finished it up to gift her.






Pumpkin Patch at Midnight spiderweb quilt: QuiltBee
This is one that has been in the works for a while. I gave her the flimsy a couple of years ago and then promised to machine quilt it for her. Well, long story short, I chickened out. I just didn't want to wreck it. Roberta of Cocoa and Quilts to the rescue!











Pumpkin Patch at Midnight spiderweb quilt: QuiltBee
She has done just a perfect job of the quilting - so much better than I could ever have done. The spider web stitching is ideal for the improv webs...













Pumpkin Patch at Midnight spiderweb quilt: QuiltBee
and this wonderful little pumpkin pattern stitched throughout the border sets it off perfectly.















Pumpkin Patch at Midnight spiderweb quilt: QuiltBee
I still love the pieced triangles that join all of the spiderwebs with their shards of colour. Roberta stitched 1/4" in from the edge of each triangle and then used a lovely swirl pattern to soften things up.












Pumpkin Patch at Midnight spiderweb quilt hanging sleeve: QuiltBee
The backing is a little funky too. These great pumpkins combined with the orange and black harlequin print add a little fun. The quilt is about 5 feet square so it can be used either as a wall hanging or a tablecloth. If she wants to hang it I added a split sleeve to the back (Roberta showed me how to make a split sleeve that is stitched into the binding- the first quilt sleeve I've ever made). And a Hang It Dang It was included if she is keen to have it on the wall.







Pumpkin Patch at Midnight spiderweb quilt: QuiltBee
Jane is the Queen of Halloween and, much as I love this quilt (I think it's one the most favourite items I've made), I couldn't imagine it going to a better home, especially one where I have a good chance of having visiting rights....M

5 comments:

Kyle said...

I love the contemporary look of the quilt you made Jane. With some of the piecing extending out in the border the quilt is so fun and modern. The quilting designs just add to the details. What a wonderful retirement gift for your friend. I can see where it might have been hard to give away.

Pat said...

Very cute coffee cups - I can really identify with the inscription! Terrific range of oranges making up the pumpkins - like how they float out into the border - lots of movement with the quilting design too...a great combination and a gift your friend will treasure!

marina said...

Great mugs lol
Love the finished quilt, the colours look amazing and the quilting completes it beautifully
Well worth the wait for completion

Kat said...

So nice! Great color combination!

The Joyful Quilter said...

What a kind and generous gift for your Halloween loving friend!! Nice job with the non-traditional pumpkin design. I absolutely LOVE it!